Easy Berry Pie

We've been thinking about this pie ever since trying it at a dinner party last summer. Aside from being impressed with the taste, we were blown away that someone actually made their own pie crust in a Brooklyn kitchen. And though, like many people, making a pie from scratch struck fear into our hearts -- the mess, the cracking, and oh, the lattice crust! -- we begged for the recipe.

And it's really freaking easy.

The dough didn't stick, the crust didn't tear, and the fruit stayed sweet and not-mushy. Perfection. This is our new every-time crust recipe, and we figure it would be easy to substitute four cups of any fruit you want -- we're thinking next time some seasonal strawberry rhubarb goodness might be in order.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups blackberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup quartered strawberries

Wash and dry the fruit; toss it in the sugar and flour. Then, the crust:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup Crisco

Mix the flour and salt. Cut in Crisco (a potato masher works well) until the lumps are pea-sized. Move the dough over to the side, then add cold water one tablespoon at a time, moving the wet dough to the other side (mixing large and small lumps) until it's all moist. (About 10 tbsp; add flour if it's too damp.) Flour your hands; knead until it doesn't stick.



Form two balls, one bigger than the other. Roll out the larger ball for the bottom crust and place in pie pan. Roll the smaller one and cut into long strips. Then just layer them on top of each other, or feel free to weave them through to make the lattice extra perfect (the crust will probably hold up enough to do this without much trouble). Crimp the edges with a fork; trim the crust at the edge. Slide a few small corners of butter under the lattice.

Cut a circle in tinfoil and pinch it around the edges of the crust. Bake for 20 minutes at 375, then remove the foil and bake for 20-30 more until the edge is golden. Brush on some warm water.